Today, at a press conference outside the House of Blues in Chicago, NASCAR announced the launch of the inaugural interactive fan event: NASCAR Contenders Live sponsored by Toyota and Sprint. The event will allow fans to interact directly with the 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup contenders at the House of Blues on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 1:30 p.m.

NASCAR Contenders Live sponsored by Toyota and Sprint will signify the start of the most intense and competitive time of the NASCAR season, the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The 12 Chase contenders will interact onstage with NASCAR’s biggest supporters – the fans – and share their strategies and insight on how they plan to win the ultimate prize: the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

This is an extremely rare opportunity for NASCAR fans as it will be the first time the top-12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ drivers will be in one room at the same time answering fan questions.

In conjunction with the event launch, the first NASCAR Contenders Live sponsored by Toyota and Sprint Sweepstakes kicks off today by giving fans a chance to win an ultimate package that includes a 2012 Toyota Camry SE, two tickets to the first-ever NASCAR Contenders Live sponsored by Toyota and Sprint fan event, two VIP tickets and two VIP passes to attend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 16, a one-year subscription to SiriusXM Satellite radio and $500 cash.

Fans can visit www.NASCAR.com/ContendersLive to enter the “Contenders Live” Sweepstakes until August 30th at 3 p.m. ET. Additionally, fans can visit the site to purchase tickets to NASCAR Contenders Live(SM) sponsored by Toyota and Sprint beginning on July 27.

“NASCAR has the most passionate fans in all of sports,” said Norris Scott, NASCAR vice president of partnership marketing and business solutions. “What better way to kick off the Chase than with an event that gives fans exclusive access inside a room with the sports’ top 12 drivers. This also serves as a unique program for Toyota and Sprint who support the sport heavily.”

“Contenders Live on September 12 provides Toyota with an exceptional platform from which to partner with NASCAR, and the visibility to interface with the sport’s enthusiastic fan base,” said Dahl. “Toyota has connected with fans in many different ways since we began competing in NASCAR in 2004, and this event will provide still another opportunity for fans to get a glimpse behind-the-scenes.”

"We always strive to deliver experiences to fans that create memories that will last a lifetime, and this event will do just that,” said Tim Considine, director of sports and entertainment marketing for Sprint. “NASCAR’s most important asset is the fans as they are the most loyal in all of sports. NASCAR Contenders Live will bring fans an incredible opportunity to interact with this season’s top drivers as we kick off the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in Chicago.”

“We are privileged to kick off the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in Chicago this September, and NASCAR Contenders Live will provide our fans with unprecedented access to the sport’s best and brightest as they begin their run towards the championship,” said Paddock. “The addition of Contenders Live to an already exhilarating Chase week lineup only adds to the excitement, which culminates on Sunday with the GEICO 400 and the start of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.”

For tickets to this weekend’s American Ethanol 225 or the STP 300 on July 21-22 at Chicagoland Speedway, or for tickets to the September 15-16 race weekend, visit www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com or call 1-888-629-RACE (7223). Single-day tickets are available, beginning at $25 in July and $40 in September.